Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

School Dunk Basketball aimed at developing grassroots players, says Ihuoma Omenazu

Facilitator of the School Dunk Basketball (SDB), a grassroots development programme, Mrs. Ihuoma Godspower Omenazu believes the schools-based initiative will help Nigeria to discover and develop talents early in their careers.

Basketball

Facilitator of the School Dunk Basketball (SDB), a grassroots development programme, Mrs. Ihuoma Godspower Omenazu believes the schools-based initiative will help Nigeria to discover and develop talents early in their careers.

Speaking at the official dunk off of the training event at Ejidey Comprehensive High School, Shangisha, Lagos, Mrs. Omenazu said, “we are committed to supporting governments’ effort by ensuring Nigerian students are exposed and groomed on the game of basketball at an early age.”

Omenazu said the reason for facilitating this programme is to encourage young undiscovered talents to understand the basics of basketball, adding that the initiative would help the youths to discover themselves and keep them away from negative vices. She opines that Nigerian youths were very talented and resilient in their strife and believes if given a chance can become future stars especially with the right foundation.

She said, however, “There are challenges providing basic kits and facilities for training the students… we are sourcing for ways to bridge that gap to ensure we achieve our objectives.” She urged the students to see themselves as stars and future talents of Nigerian basketball.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Scott Nnaji, who doubles as president Nigerian Basketball Coaches Association and Nigerian female basketball team coach, implored government and corporate organisations to support the development of basketball at grassroots level.
 
Nnaji said government could support basketball development by building basketball facilities within school environments so that students can practice and play just like its done in other climes.
 
He harped on the need to develop the game among the young ones through constant training and championships among the young ones of different age groups. He encouraged corporate bodies to support the School Dunk Basketball programme with facilities and kits to help engage the young ones in sports.
 
The first phase of the training programme, which commenced on June 14 at Ejidey Comprehensive High School Shangisha, will include a tour of over 10 schools by basketball coaches, athletics coaches, representatives of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) and professional players and promoters.  The team of coaches will be visiting different schools and training them on skills, tactics and giving career talks. Participants are students between the ages of 10 and 16 in schools across the country.
 

In this article

0 Comments